Many of you wanted to know why we stopped recommending lambskins
for infants.
In July/99 Health Canada, the Canadian Pediatric Society, the
Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, and the Canadian
Institute of Child Health, made a joint statement "Reducing
the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome" (SIDS), warning
parents not to use soft bedding such as lambskins for babies under
one year of age. In March of 2000, the U.S.A. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, and the U.S. Juvenile Products Manufacturers
Association, issued the same warning. The concern is about baby
re-breathing air. When we got the statement from Health Canada,
I did not want to accept their advice, since our customers liked
using the lambskins so much...But in addition to Health Canada's
concern about re-breathing, I also came across an article in Compleat
Mother magazine about crib death. Dr. Jim Sprott, OBE, MSc, PhD,
FNZIC explained that poisonous gases are emitted from crib mattresses,
and also from lambskins. Dr. Sprott is from New Zealand, which
once had the highest SIDS rate in the world and where babies were
commonly put to sleep on lambskins. His research and research
from the U.K. shows that crib mattresses give off toxic gases
from the fire-retardant chemicals, vinyl, and foam. His research
shows that lambskins contain the elements arsenic, phosphorus,
and antimony, all of which give off poisonous gases. Detailed
information is at the website: www.cotlife2000.com
Some people from the SIDS organization disagree that toxic gases
from mattresses and lambskins could be causing SIDS. It is indeed
possible that other factors also affect baby's immune system so
that a baby is more susceptible to toxic gases. However, the recent
deaths of twins lends credence to Dr. Sprott's research. Sadly,
the two month old twin girls died of SIDS on the same mattress
in a shared crib, within an hour of each other. They were healthy
babies.
After about 40 hours of research, I became very certain that Health
Canada and the other organizations, and Dr. Sprott had very good
reasons for their advice to avoid lambskins. However, the various
experts cannot unanimously agree on the cause of SIDS. While the
debate goes on, the best thing for parents to do, is to avoid
all known risks. Every baby is precious, and at Kidalog/Baby Love,
we don't sell any products which I would not use with my own children.
Grace (President & Mother of 4)
Just as we were going to press with this catalogue, I noticed
signs that exterminators had put up on a local building: "Danger,
phosphine gas!" Since this is one of the toxic gases which
Dr. Sprott found lambskins giving off, this intrigued me. I asked
the exterminators about phosphine, and they said it is so toxic
that if I went inside the building, I would be DEAD WITHIN ONE
MINUTE! I discussed the off-gassing of lambskins and mattresses
with them, and they agreed that off-gassing could kill a baby!
(Special safety mattress covers have been designed. Click
here for more information.) In Japan, cotton futons are commonly
used. Futons cannot be washed, and must either be aired out in
the sunshine once a month, or dry cleaned as needed. Remember
that any type of mattress used in a crib must fit very snugly
and be very firm, for safety reasons. To protect the futon from
wetting, use a cotton pad backed with waterproof nylon (check
to be sure that the waterproof coating is polyurethane, not PVC.)
Futons made in North America may be treated with a chemical flame
retardant; but can be made without the chemicals with a doctor's
prescription.
As an alternative to lambskins, we recommend the Organic Sherpa Mattress Pad - this is an organic cotton pad that offers the softness of a lambskin without the risks.